# barrow

/ˈbæɹoʊ/ (US) · /bˈæɹəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barrow
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a hand-cart

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a small cart with one or two wheels that you push or pull by hand to carry heavy things.

For teachers: a small, hand-propelled vehicle used for transporting loads, often featuring a single wheel and two handles.

- The street vendor pushed his barrow full of fresh fruit through the market.
- The construction worker loaded the barrow with wet cement, carefully balancing the weight before navigating the narrow scaffolding.

Usage: Often used as a shortening of 'wheelbarrow' or to describe a vendor's cart.

### 2. a burial mound

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical · Literary

a large pile of earth or stones built over an ancient grave.

For teachers: an artificial mound of earth and stones, especially one raised over an ancient burial site.

- Archaeologists discovered ancient pottery inside the grassy barrow on the hill.
- The landscape was dotted with Neolithic barrows, silent monuments to a civilization that had inhabited the valley thousands of years prior.

Teaching tip: This sense is common in British archaeology and historical literature; learners may encounter it when visiting heritage sites in the UK.

### 3. a castrated pig

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a male pig that has been castrated before reaching maturity.

For teachers: a male hog castrated before sexual maturity, typically raised for meat production.

- The farmer separated the barrows from the rest of the herd for feeding.
- In commercial swine production, barrows are often preferred over boars due to the absence of 'boar taint' in the meat.

Usage: Used primarily in agricultural and livestock contexts.

## Examples

- He pushed the barrow full of soil across the garden.
- She loaded the heavy bags of cement onto the barrow to move them to the patio.
- The gardener leaned into the rusted barrow, its single axle groaning under the weight of wet clay and fallen leaves.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.